The Department of Tourism and Leisure is delighted to announce that tourism
revenue has recovered quicker than forecast following the foot and mouth impact
three years ago.

Measures were taken in 2001 which successfully prevented the disease reaching
the Isle of Man but the tourism sector was badly hit. Most of the countryside
remained closed to walkers while the TT and Manx Grand Prix were also cancelled.

Following the Foot and Mouth crisis, the Department set a target to recover over
three years in terms of visitor numbers and expenditure. However, figures
provided by the Economic Affairs Division of Treasury reveal that the recovery
was achieved in two, rather than three years. Visitor expenditure for 2003
totalled £102.5 million, an increase of 3.9% in real terms over the year
2000.

Director of Tourism Geoff Le Page said:

"I am delighted that the marketing campaign to attract higher spend visitors
throughout the year has proved successful. Visitor numbers last year almost
matched those of 2000 and expenditure was one per cent ahead of target with a
year still to run of our three-year recovery plan."

Tourism Minister David Cretney commented:

"In 2001 I stated that it was likely it would take three years to recover
from the aftermath of the foot and mouth outbreak in the UK, and that it would
take much hard work. Whilst there is still a difficult time ahead, our targeted
marketing approach appears to have paid dividends and our work in areas such as
conference marketing and in attracting new events like the walking festival will
continue to improve visitor numbers and expenditure."